Some cat breeds especially long haired cats require a lot more caring for than others since the fur can become matted or knotted (tangled in a ball) and matted fur can be painful if pulled.
Simple Tips for Home Grooming
1) Have fun. Most cats love being stroked and enjoy the feeling of light grooming. Use gentle strokes!
2) Don't push your cat! It's okay to hold your cat in a gentle manner as long as he/she is comfortable. If he/she is not in the mood, then don't push it! Yes cats do have their mood swings from time to time just like women.
3) Get professional help. If your cat has a bad mat and you are not sure how to remove it, call your professional groomer! Don't do something you will regret!! Trust me.
What supplies should I have on hand to properly groom my cat?
Your cat grooming tool options are a wonderful mix of items. Choose the supplies that you think will best fit your cat's needs as well as their tolerance levels. What you should get:
-Brushes
-Combs
-Dental finger brushes
-Flea combs
Tips when Brushing
When you are using a comb or brush:
1) Start with one that has wide teeth to prevent the harsh pulling on any mats. If you encounter any, try to pull the mats apart gently while trying not to pull on the fur. Once you are able to remove it, you can then switch to a comb with narrower spaces between the teeth when you have the mats almost all the way untangled.
2) DO NOT USE scissors or clippers for mat removal unless it is absolutely necessary otherwise if you make a mistake, you can cut your cat. Ouch!
3) Reward you cat and say good things while brushing e.g. "Good Kitty, Nice Kitty" so that it helps to encourage the cat to want more grooming and to not to fuss too much since those words tend to re-enforce that for behaving, he/she is being rewarded.
4) Do not brush too quickly, rather take your time - If you encounter any mats you might hurt your cat if your brush stroke is too quick!
5) Pass your hand on his/her fur after each brush stroke - They like this. Don't know why.
6) Don't forget the tummy - It is usually quite ticklish, but with time, I'm sure the cat will get used to it. Try not to tickle the cat too much otherwise you might be cat slapped.
Finally have fun and enjoy the time spent while grooming. Don't think of it as a chore but rather a fun activity with your cat!
